Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2310 and Recovering Deleted Files: Expert Advice

Has your NAS Thecus N2310 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2310 and Recovering Deleted Files: Expert Advice

Thecus N2310 NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an N2310. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2310 and Recovering Deleted Files: Expert Advice

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
Download

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Thecus often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

Can utilizing redundant network connections or link aggregation protocols mitigate data loss risks for NAS Thecus N2310 devices?

Yes, utilizing redundant network connections or link aggregation protocols can help mitigate data loss risks for NAS Thecus N2310 devices.

Redundant network connections involve connecting the NAS device to multiple network interfaces or switches. This provides backup connectivity in case one connection fails, ensuring that data can still be accessed and transferred even if one network connection goes down.

Link aggregation, also known as port trunking or bonding, combines multiple network connections into a single logical connection. This increases the overall bandwidth and provides fault tolerance by distributing network traffic across multiple connections. In case of a network failure, the NAS device can automatically switch to another active connection, minimizing downtime and reducing the risk of data loss.

By implementing redundant network connections or link aggregation protocols, the NAS device can maintain a reliable and high-performance network connection, reducing the likelihood of data loss due to network failures or disruptions.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS N2310 can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

  1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

    WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

  2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

  3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

  4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N2310. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

N2310 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

0, 1, 10, JBOD

NAS supports:

  • EXT3;
  • EXT4;
  • XFS;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
  • User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

  2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

  3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Thecus N2310 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Product Operating system RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows, Linux, MacOS Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 10 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS N2310, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Vincent Aiken
    Vincent Aiken 13.09.2023 14:55 #
    Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Thecus N2310 device that has undergone a factory reset or system restore?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 13.09.2023 14:59 #

      It is generally not possible to recover data from a NAS device that has undergone a factory reset or system restore. When a factory reset or system restore is performed, all data on the device is typically erased, and the device is restored to its original factory settings. This process usually includes formatting the hard drives, which permanently deletes all data stored on them.

      If you have important data on a NAS device, it is recommended to regularly back up your data to an external storage device or cloud storage to prevent data loss in case of a factory reset or system restore.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the key features and benefits of the NAS Thecus N2310 for personal cloud storage?

    The key features and benefits of the NAS Thecus N2310 for personal cloud storage include:

    1. Dual-core processor: The N2310 is equipped with a powerful dual-core processor, enabling faster data transfer speeds and improved overall performance.
    2. RAID support: It supports RAID 0, 1, and JBOD configurations, allowing users to customize their storage setup for data redundancy and increased performance.
    3. Easy setup and management: The N2310 comes with an intuitive web-based interface, making it easy to set up and manage the NAS. It also supports mobile apps for remote access and management.
    4. Personal cloud storage: With the N2310, users can create their own personal cloud storage, allowing them to access and share their files securely from anywhere using a web browser or mobile app.
    5. Data protection and backup: The NAS supports various backup options, including scheduled backup, real-time remote replication, and cloud backup, ensuring the safety and availability of important data.
    6. Energy-efficient design: The N2310 is designed to be energy-efficient, consuming minimal power while providing high-performance storage capabilities.
    7. Media streaming: It supports DLNA and UPnP protocols, allowing users to stream media content directly to compatible devices such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, and media players.
    8. Expandable storage: The N2310 supports USB 3.0 ports and an eSATA port for easy expansion of storage capacity by connecting external hard drives or additional NAS devices.
    9. App ecosystem: The Thecus App Center provides a wide range of apps and add-ons to enhance the functionality of the NAS, including media servers, backup utilities, surveillance software, and more.
    10. Affordable price point: The N2310 offers an affordable solution for personal cloud storage, making it accessible to individuals and small businesses with limited budgets.
  • How does the NAS Thecus N2310 ensure data security and privacy for personal cloud storage?

    The NAS Thecus N2310 ensures data security and privacy for personal cloud storage through several measures:

    1. User Access Control: The N2310 allows you to create multiple user accounts with different access rights. You can assign specific permissions to each user, determining what data they can access and modify.
    2. RAID Configuration: The N2310 supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, and JBOD. RAID provides data redundancy, ensuring that even if one hard drive fails, your data remains intact.
    3. Data Encryption: The N2310 supports AES 256-bit encryption, which can be enabled to encrypt the data stored on the device. This ensures that even if someone gains unauthorized access to the NAS, they cannot read the encrypted data without the encryption key.
    4. Network Security: The N2310 supports various network security protocols, such as HTTPS and FTPS, which encrypt data transmission over the network. This prevents unauthorized interception and access to your data during transfer.
    5. Firewall and IP Blocking: The N2310 has a built-in firewall that can block unauthorized access attempts. It also supports IP blocking, allowing you to restrict access from specific IP addresses or IP ranges.
    6. Antivirus Protection: The N2310 is compatible with various antivirus software, allowing you to scan the NAS for malware and viruses. This helps to prevent any malicious software from compromising your data.
    7. Data Backup and Sync: The N2310 offers various backup and synchronization options, allowing you to create scheduled backups of your data to external devices or remote servers. This ensures that even if the NAS fails or data is accidentally deleted, you have a backup copy of your important files.

    Overall, the Thecus N2310 combines various security features, such as user access control, data encryption, network security protocols, firewall, antivirus protection, and data backup, to ensure data security and privacy for personal cloud storage.

  • Can you provide some examples of use cases or scenarios where the NAS Thecus N2310 excels as a personal cloud storage solution?

    Sure! Here are some examples of use cases or scenarios where the Thecus N2310 excels as a personal cloud storage solution:

    1. File sharing and collaboration: The N2310 allows you to easily share files with friends, family, or colleagues. You can create user accounts with different levels of access and securely share files or folders with specific individuals or groups. This makes it ideal for collaborating on projects or sharing important documents.
    2. Media streaming: The N2310 supports media streaming capabilities, allowing you to store and stream your media files (such as movies, music, or photos) to various devices like smart TVs, game consoles, or mobile devices. You can create your own personal media server and access your media library from anywhere.
    3. Data backup and synchronization: With the N2310, you can set up automatic backups of your important files or folders. It supports various backup options like scheduled backups, incremental backups, or even remote backups to other NAS devices or cloud storage services. You can also synchronize your files across multiple devices, ensuring that you always have the latest version available.
    4. Remote access and mobile apps: The N2310 offers remote access capabilities, allowing you to access your files and manage your NAS from anywhere using a web browser or dedicated mobile apps. This means you can securely access your files, stream media, or manage your NAS even when you're away from home.
    5. Personal cloud storage: The N2310 can be configured to function as your own personal cloud storage, similar to popular cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. You can store your files on the NAS and access them from any device with an internet connection. This gives you full control over your data and eliminates the need to rely on third-party cloud services.

    Overall, the Thecus N2310 excels as a personal cloud storage solution by providing robust file sharing, media streaming, data backup, and remote access capabilities, making it a versatile and reliable option for personal or small office use.